The Progress., 1887-12-03
NHY HE OBJECTS TO THE TREATY..

| d"o ''AO y Oo1 ODJcCclOIS W
the treaty p has been the ques.
ton suggested to us repeatedly in
relation to the agreement which
the Northwestern commission en-:
deavored to make with the Mime
sofa ChippeWas last year. With
out special reference to the sever
al articles of the treaty, we will
state in a general way our objec-
tions to such portions Of it as we
deem most important, and which
relate to the interests of the Miss
issippi bands only.
Under the several treaties be-
tween the United States and the
Mississippi Chippewa Indians, it
was and is stipulated that the
White Earth, White Oak Point
and Mile Lacs reservations should
be reserved as homes for these In
dians. The value of these reser-
vations for the pine timber, and
the fertility Of their arabic lands
cannot be approximated with any
degree Of certainty, but reasona-
bic conclusion may be arrived at
by referring to the estimates of
those who have carefully consid-
cred the matter. Taking this in
formation as a basis the follow.
ing conclusions are reached {:
White Earth contains over $780,
900 acres of unoccupied land,
about 100000 of it being some of
the best arabic land in the state,
and the balance being timbered
land. The arabic land has been
estimated as being worth not less
than five dollars per acre; there.
fore placing these figures. as a
maximum price the arabic land on
the White Earth reservation is
worth $2,ooo,ooo. And according
to the estimates of competent crui-
sers the reservation contains $780,
100000 feet of pine, which is said
to be worth at least two dollars
per thousand feet stumpage. If
these estimates are correct, the
pine alone is worth 81, 800, 900, ex.
elusive Of other timber on the res.
ervation, such as oak, maple, etc.,
valuable for different purposes.
The White Oak Point reserva,
tions contains about 100000
acres Of land, which has been va.
riably estimated as being worth
for the timber that is on it, from
two to four million dollars; the
value of this reservation is there.
fore placed at $2,000,0O0.
The Mile Lac Indians have a
possessary right to the Mile Lac
reservation and it should not be
supposed that they ought to relin
quish this right without remuner
alton.
| Having in view the foregoing es
Inmates, the Mississippi Chippewas
could readily realize from the sale
of the unoccupied land on thei1
reservations together with the
pine, over $5,O00,O0O. The Leecf
lake, Cass lake, and Winnebago
shish Indians own reservations
containing in all about fourteen
townships Of land which are worth
probably 81, ,50O,O 900 for the pine
on them, there being but little
arabic land.
The Fond du Lac, Bois-forte
and Grand Portage Indians have
small reservations Of no particular
value, being for the most par1
rocky and barren, and the only
|probable sum which could be real
lied from their sale would not
even be sufficient to defray the ex.
lpense of the removal of those In.
dams to the White Earth reserva.
ton. Therefore, the inequality o1
the several amounts which may be
contributed to ga common fund
by the above named bands, would
make the inauguration Of such q
common fund.- system a gross
Injustice to the Mississippi Ind.